Stones

[Oracle]

On Stuckey: I understand the reasons most don't like Stuckey, and the bad feelings run deep! Joe didn't do Stuckey any favors by raising the expectations for him and treating like he was the next diva superstar in waiting.

Then Stuckey starts believing Joe's donut induced dreams(sugar high), and proceeds to think he can get coaches fired like real superstars do. Of course he does it with absolutely no class, and that makes people hate him all the more.

Nope, Stuckey has dug his grave here, and he needs to go, but for me that doesn't mean we need to hide him on the bench... hell no! I want to get some benefit out of the 8M+, and Stuckey is in a contract year, so we stand to really benefit.

The only thing that can go wrong is that we start believing his contract year performance and try to re-sign him! I could only go for that if he was willing to take MLE type money, if not, let him walk!!!

On Kobe: You left off one BIG reason it wouldn't work... Kobe is washed up, ala the AI trade! Who know how he'll be after the injury, and even so, he's very close to being a player that can remember what he used to do, but can't do it any more.

I'd stay away from Kobe, IMO!

-------

https://detroitsportstalk.forumotion.com/viewtopic.forum?t=138

[Go Stones!]

So, Lakers are going nowhere fast. Just read that Nash should be given limited minutes... Peace and Howard are gone. Odom has been gone. Kobe is getting older, but is obsessed with another ring. I see him going to a quick contender next summer so that he can get another couple rings. Nope, not the Heat...but what about the Pistons!??

Kobe grew up in Philly...watching Cheeks as PG for most likely his childhood team. Phil has been his coach through the good times...and was a "consultant" for Gores this past summer. Gores lives in CA and most likely is a huge fan of Kobe and would like nothing more than to bring him to the Pistons. Kobe idolizes Jordan...well, Jordan played for another team (Washington) and not only for the Bulls (but you see where that got him).

I just read an article that said Kobe could get over $30M per year with the Lakers if he signed again. Then the article mentioned he most likely would do what Duncan did and sign for around $10M. That is enough money that we could upgrade SF bench with Gay and get Kobe for SG with the expiring contracts of Stuckey and CV. With Kobe as SG, we would have all the pieces in place.

Why wouldn't this work? 1) Kobe is a selfish player. If he would rather have money than rings... 2) Dumars has typically had the stance of not having an all-star player that is treated any differently than any other. He also will NOT overpay for an aging all-star caliber player.

[Go Stones!]

This board is thinking too much about Stuckey. Why? Most likely because we are all hoping he can actually earn his 8+M a year so it is not wasted. If he is good, we COULD keep him, OR we could use him as trade bait. If he is bad, it is a downer and we just let him dig his own grave.

BOTTOM LINE: We don't want someone like Stuckey (mod-high salary, high potential but unpredictable, in his prime) to take minutes away from someone who is the future of our team (Siva and KCP). If that is the case, why don't we feel the same about Chauncey?

PREDICTION: Siva will be good enough to make Chauncey retire and go to the coaching bench next season....or he will get injured and call it quits that way.

TRUTH: Joe D sees potential...think of it from this angle....if Stuckey was on another team, Joe D would go get him (similar to the way he did with Chauncey) and make him a work in progress.

PREDICTION: I'm going to guess that Stuckey will fill the gap initially until KCP can take his place. Then it will be about the trade deadline and we will get SOMETHING out of him.

QUESTION: Why is it that we have high expectations for Stuckey because of his salary, but we don't for CV who makes pretty much the same amount?

Try thinking of Stuckey as the Will Bynum of last year (and Bynum this year would be...English?). If you do that, it proves we will have plenty of depth with much potential with his expiring salary to be used for a trade to get us over the hump.

[Oracle]

First let me quote you,

"Oracle, on the serious side of things, it seems that Cheeks will have to work hard at not succeeding with the resources at hand; the coaching team he's assembled, the players Joe has brought in, the money the owner appears willing to spend to maintaining a first class organization, and the championship experience woven through the fabric of the team, seems to guarantee a high level of success. Call me nutty, but I'm hopeful." - DX

You're damn skippy, to screw this up with the massive frontcourt and all of the shooters and slashers, you have a coaches dream... players for any situation I can imagine, and talented to boot!!!

You're not nutty, this team is loaded, and a wise trade of Stuckey would only enhance an already potent roster. I LOVE this team, and see no possible way we don't make the playoffs(and make some noise) barring injury!

We could lose Stuckey, JJ, and even Singler(which I wouldn't recommend) and still be dangerous. Why not Singler? Well, he provides quality depth that we will need most when the playoffs begin!

Ok, now to your afterthought.

Who is Stuckey replacing, KCP or Jennings? If he's spending less time at the SG position, that means he's playing more PG, right? - Yes, replacing Jennings, NOT KCP, Chauncey replaces KCP and he and Stuckey can share PG duties when needed!

Cheeks, then Chauncey, and now KCP are being looked at to salvage Stuckey's career; why is all this attention being focused on saving Stuckey's ass? - Here is where I feel that you're fixated on Stuckey because you ignore what's said! I say it's likely good for Stuckey! When some action, done for someone else, just happens to benefit another person, how do you then translate that into someone trying to save Stuckey? KCP starting benefits Chauncey as well, so as I said, you're focused on Stuckey so much that the words lose meaning for you.

BTW, I'm not clear on your position in regards to Stuckey. Is your position that we should just pay him and expect no work from him? Just send him home and keep the checks flowing?

I get it that Cheeks appeared to focus on Stuckey oddly in his first presser, and that was just plain strange. But since he's here, we may as well use him from the bench whenever matchups make sense.

[deusXango]

After thought: Why didn't you answer the simple questions in red? Forget my comments, why didn't you respond to the questions? 

[deusXango]

I've always said that it would be best if KCP started, and I listed my reasons. However, Langolis added some new wrinkles as to why KCP is the key to making everything in the backcourt work.

One other thing that I would like to add is that if KCP can start, it's also the key to getting the most out of Stuckey! If KCP can start, Stuckey can be the first guard off the bench, in a role that he's comfortable with, spending less time at the SG position.
Who is Stuckey replacing, KCP or Jennings? If he's spending less time at the SG position, that means he's playing more PG, right?

So oddly enough, KCP's development is likely the best thing that could happen to Stuckey's career.
Cheeks, then Chauncey, and now KCP are being looked at to salvage Stuckey's career; why is all this attention being focused on saving Stuckey's ass?

I don't want to compare players, but KCP could lessen the sting of Joe giving away Afflalo, and it's safe to say that Langolis, who is getting an extended look at KCP, is impressed! Here are a couple of excerpts from the article.

Oracle, are you somehow convinced that Stuckey is better than Chauncey, by anointing him to be the first guard off the bench, if KCP should start in the backcourt with Jennings? IMO that's a bold statement. Question. Why is so much attention focused on a player, who's in the last year of a contract, and resources are not channeled to incoming players like KCP and Siva? Seven years has been an entire career for far superior players (production and talent wise), but some are willing to treat Stuckey like a 2nd or 3rd year player; I say again, enough time has been wasted. This is a business!

Oracle, I wasn't picking Langlois' article apart, nor was I missing the point that it was about KCP, but was commenting on some statements you made in defense of, and selling of Rodney Stuckey (who was not the topic of the article). I really don't know why you see me as being fixated on Stuckey (I'm not fixated any more than you are), and not just expressing my feelings for the best interest of the team. I may be more "vocal," but I'm not the only poster who doesn't think Stuckey is a team player.

Who's clear intent is it to limit Chauncey's time on the court, where he's sitting around waiting for the 4th quarter?! Whoever that may be is delusional!! Chauncey will never go for that, and it's not what he signed on to do. Yes, Chauncey is old, but he ain't dumb, and this team is past having any use for dumb basketball players.

This is a snippet from an article, you thoughtfully included in one of your recent posts, addressing "Cheeks' challenge: spreading shooters out across 1st, 2nd units;" oddly enough, I had just made a post about that yesterday.
It stands to reason the starters will play as a unit for the first six to eight minutes of the first and third quarters – probably no more than one-third of a game’s 48 minutes. One way to balance the units would be for Cheeks to take Drummond out first, shifting Monroe to center and Smith to power forward with a shooter like Datome alongside of them. When Drummond returns to start the second quarter while at least one of Monroe and Smith sits, Cheeks could surround him with shooters like Billups, Villanueva and Datome or Singler plus Will Bynum, or perhaps Caldwell-Pope.
Jennings can't be the only mid to long range shooter in the starting lineup, we have too many guards to be playing players out of position, and if KCP is not inspiring any confidence as a starting SG, what's your solution, if not making a trade? Until one of the starting big men is removed from the floor, the paint is too crowded for a guard who's only real skill is to attack the basket (and those attacks are for a low percentage of success) to be on the floor; we're technically a man short, and in todays NBA, we'll be buried early in the game.

I won't say anything else about Stuckey, until after the trade deadline; if he's still here and performing well, I'll gladly eat crow and acknowledge his turn around, if he's stinking up the Palace, well you know what to expect from me, but if he should be traded, I'll only wish him well. After six years of stomach retching disappointment, watching Stuckey's lack of basketball I.Q. being demonstrated, I won't be taking two in the morning, but I will give Dr. Oracle a call.

Oracle, on the serious side of things, it seems that Cheeks will have to work hard at not succeeding with the resources at hand; the coaching team he's assembled, the players Joe has brought in, the money the owner appears willing to spend to maintaining a first class organization, and the championship experience woven through the fabric of the team, seems to guarantee a high level of success. Call me nutty, but I'm hopeful.

 GO PISTONS!!

[Oracle]

Joenuts are in this year!!!

[Oracle]

Bynum, JJ & Pony Tail are back in the gym today, and Langlois is tweeting the dirt!

He says Bynum hasn't missed a beat with Drummond and now he's doing the same with Josh Smith!!! Lob City Baby!!!

Watch out NBA, the New Pistons are coming!!!

[Oracle]

"The trade that added Brandon Jennings cost the Pistons Brandon Knight, to whom Monroe was as close as he’s been to anyone since joining the Pistons in 2010.

“Brandon Jennings is a great player,” Monroe said. “I don’t want to say it was bittersweet, because I don’t want it to sound like I didn’t want Brandon Jennings. He’s a great player, a proven player, so I’m happy he’s on the team. But me and Brandon were friends, so it’s always difficult to lose someone you got close with. But we both understand that it’s a business. I’ve talked to him all the time since the trade. It was tough, but I wish him the best and I’m sure Brandon Jennings is going to be great for us.”" - Moose Unloosed 

My fear that we may not have the shooters has faded as you look at this lineup!

"But the Pistons have a fair number of proven or promising 3-point shooters, including Chauncey Billups, Charlie Villanueva, Brandon Jennings, Kyle Singler and NBA rookies Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Gigi Datome." - Cheeks’ challenge: spreading shooters out across 1st, 2nd units

[Oracle]

I think you may be missing the point, or maybe you didn't read the article.

The clear intent is to limit Chauncey's minutes so that he's fresh in the 4th when we need his veteran savvy and big shot capability!

It's not a question of if Stuckey is better or not, Stuckey has a LOT younger legs, and since he's on the payroll, it would be coaching malpractice NOT to use him to his fullest capability.

The focus was on KCP(cough, cough... it was in the title), not Stuckey.

Your fixation on Stuckey is getting worse

You're seeing Stuckey as the topic in every conversation, LOL! What's even more shocking is that you're the one who keeps warning us that Chauncey is too old for heavy minutes! Then when we and pose solutions, all you see is a "Save Stuckey's Career" conspiracy.

Take two Stuckey's and call me in the morning...

[deusXango]

I've always said that it would be best if KCP started, and I listed my reasons. However, Langolis added some new wrinkles as to why KCP is the key to making everything in the backcourt work.

One other thing that I would like to add is that if KCP can start, it's also the key to getting the most out of Stuckey! If KCP can start, Stuckey can be the first guard off the bench, in a role that he's comfortable with, spending less time at the SG position.
Who is Stuckey replacing, KCP or Jennings? If he's spending less time at the SG position, that means he's playing more PG, right?

So oddly enough, KCP's development is likely the best thing that could happen to Stuckey's career.
Cheeks, then Chauncey, and now KCP are being looked at to salvage Stuckey's career; why is all this attention being focused on saving Stuckey's ass?

I don't want to compare players, but KCP could lessen the sting of Joe giving away Afflalo, and it's safe to say that Langolis, who is getting an extended look at KCP, is impressed! Here are a couple of excerpts from the article.

Oracle, are you somehow convinced that Stuckey is better than Chauncey, by anointing him to be the first guard off the bench, if KCP should start in the backcourt with Jennings? IMO that's a bold statement. Question. Why is so much attention focused on a player, who's in the last year of a contract, and resources are not channeled to incoming players like KCP and Siva? Seven years has been an entire career for far superior players (production and talent wise), but some are willing to treat Stuckey like a 2nd or 3rd year player; I say again, enough time has been wasted. This is a business!

[Oracle]

I've always said that it would be best if KCP started, and I listed my reasons. However, Langolis added some new wrinkles as to why KCP is the key to making everything in the backcourt work.

One other thing that I would like to add is that if KCP can start, it's also the key to getting the most out of Stuckey! If KCP can start, Stuckey can be the first guard off the bench, in a role that he's comfortable with, spending less time at the SG position.

So oddly enough, KCP's development is likely the best thing that could happen to Stuckey's career.

I don't want to compare players, but KCP could lessen the sting of Joe giving away Afflalo, and it's safe to say that Langolis, who is getting an extended look at KCP, is impressed! Here are a couple of excerpts from the article.

"One thing working in KCP’s favor is the versatility of his game. He’s a guy who can contribute in many ways beyond scoring. His motor, athleticism and mind-set should allow him to hold his own defensively from day one, though once he learns NBA personnel and packs muscle on a sinewy frame he could emerge as an elite wing defender. His college numbers suggest he’ll be a very good rebounder for his position. His speed should make him a factor in transition, as well."

"But Caldwell-Pope has the size, athleticism and shooting range that offer something unique at shooting guard for the Pistons. More than any other contender for backcourt minutes, the rookie will have to earn them. If he does, a few other things fall quickly into place – including the freedom to save Chauncey Billups for the moments that made him Mr. Big Shot."

Full Article: How Pistons use Billups might hinge on No. 1 pick’s ability to step in early

[Oracle]

Please, no applause or thank you's, I'm just doing my bit for America! Nice of the Freep to notice!

Oracle wins race, stays alive in America's Cup

[deusXango]

Fellas, how and when Drummond is used is going to be the determining factor of how well Cheeks can coach this team; late game situations will fluctuate between us being up or down, and that will determine which big man tandem should be on the floor. I'm a big Josh Smith fan, but his FT's ain't all that good either. So how do we protect our late game leads, or come from behind late in games? The simple solution is what's not been discussed on this forum, and that's to get ahead early and expand the lead as the game goes on, or in other words, blow teams out; I think the Detroit Pistons now have what it takes to do just that to 60-75% of the teams in the league!

I've said it before, but my voice has gone unheard, that Drummond deserves to start every game of the season, so that his name can be called as one of the top five players on this team, and the future of the franchise, but his role on the team should be to anchor the 2nd unit; start and play about five minutes to set a tone before being replaced by Singler ( Monroe moves to center, and Smith moves to PF) coming in at SF. The second quarter belongs to the 2nd unit, which for my money should be made up of, Drummond at center, Mitchell at PF, Datome at SF, Chauncey at SG, and Siva at PG. I liked what I saw in Summer League with Drummond, Mitchell, and Siva, and IMHO Siva is the PG Chauncey should be spending his time mentoring/teaching the floor game to. I believe that Drummond and Mitchell can be interior monsters, if given a chance to play together, and Gigi and Chauncey can keep the floor spread out; Siva can run the pick & roll as well as anyone on the team, only he won't be hogging the ball and taking ill-advised shots. I know some fans will have a problem with this because of the distribution of rotational spots; it's impossible for minutes to be found for every player on the roster, for every game, but there is enough talent on this team to have two 2nd units. This will give us the ability to have fresh legs, come playoff time, with an entire team that can play well together.

During the lessor teams games we can see some innovative things like, CV, Jerebko, and Harrellson as our frontline, with Stuckey and Bynum in the backcourt. This 2nd unit will shock many because of the balance that's there, but hard to see on paper. Barring injuries, the whole team will have a chance to jell and play meaningful minutes, at some point in the season. Look around the league and see how many teams that can be found with enough depth to pull that off. If Cheeks can sell the team on strong defense, and sharing more than the ball, for the sake of winning, we all can see the beginning of a winning concept that will stun the basketball world. The Bad Boys, and Going to Work crew were innovative, championship team concepts that were far ahead of where the rest of the NBA was, at the time, and this group (coach included) can duplicate our past glories.

The lynchpin to all this taking place will depend on the handling and development of Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, Tony Mitchell, Kyle Singler, and Luigi Datome, the big men who should be here for the next 4-5 years. IMHO those are the Pistons players who are the core, and should be built around; that many smart, talented, skilled, and athletic big men on a team is unheard of, so why not give them the gift of experience?

[cool breeze]

[quote="Oracle"]There were some good battles between groups of Pistons today.

KCP, Jorts, Monroe, CV, Smith and more!

Interesting results, view on Langolis's feed - Langolis Twitter Feed

A little taste:

Keith Langlois @Keith_Langlois

KCP & Charlie V trading tough baskets, tied at 4 in the Game 5 finale here .. and Moose spins and finishes to put Blue up 5-4
9:46 AM - 23 Sep 2013

Keith Langlois @Keith_Langlois

KCP the star of Game 5, fittingly hits the game winner, a long 3, as White wins 3-2 in games. 7 days until training camp, folks.
9:49 AM - 23 Sep 2013

[/quote

Oracle is Keith Langlois being paid by Charlie V? What is this nonsense all about? Will Keith set up a one on one game with Charlie and Will Bynum to give us the blow by blow account next? Will Keith tweet that Charlie took on the entire team in boxing next? I can't wait for the news about team leader Stuckey's skull sessions with the new coaching staff to get this team going in the right direction.

[cool breeze]

Yippee, finally something to challenge the mind and stay focused on the team at the same time; sure Stones, I'll try this.

Greg Monroe=Bison Dele: (Moose and the Bison) although unappreciated, much like Moose, Bison could put up some numbers (near double, double); it's sad that Bison's off court problems, within his family unit, cut his career short.

Andre Drummond=Ben Wallace: IMHO those two players are cut from the same mold; exceptional physical specimens, who can dominate the game by playing defense and rebounding exclusively, but can't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle when it comes to free throws.

Will Bynum=Mike James: fireplug builds, glad to be in the league, never kick or complains, and stay ready to come in and play like starters (going against 2nd units). It's a shame that Joe didn't bring James back to play with Lindsey; they had something special going on, as defensive terrors.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope=Allan Houston: deadly outside shooters who the Pistons chose to let linger on the bench just long enough for other teams to realize how good they are, and that they weren't appreciated in Detroit; who's going to come in and steal KCP away from us, like the Knicks stole Houston?

Brandon Jennings="Bubbles" Hawkins: same size lefty's who have mad handles and can score (IMO "Bubbles" was a much better scorer in the pros). Both were exceptionally quick, and very clever with the ball.

Gigi Datome=Al Eberhardt: those big ass hands, and could/can shoot the lights out!! "Country's" stay in Detroit was short lived, but hopefully we're moving away from letting specialized talent go simply because of misconceptions, because I think Gigi can play.

Rodney Stuckey=Gus the Barber: mainstays who's best contributions to the team was comedy relief.    

Bison Dele aka Brian Williams should have been a faith healer. This was another blunder by the Piston brain trust. He was a transfer to Arizona and seemed a bit odd because off the court you could never guess he was a basketball player if you didn't think about his height. if you ever met him and it would not take a rocket scientist realize right off the bat that he had zero interest in playing basketball in the NBA. I think he liked college ball better because there were less games to play. Again Piston management was guilty of not doing any background work with this guy. He could have been a great player and you know the rest of the sad story.

[Oracle]

There were some good battles between groups of Pistons today.

KCP, Jorts, Monroe, CV, Smith and more!

Interesting results, view on Langolis's feed - Langolis Twitter Feed

A little taste:

Keith Langlois @Keith_Langlois

KCP & Charlie V trading tough baskets, tied at 4 in the Game 5 finale here .. and Moose spins and finishes to put Blue up 5-4
9:46 AM - 23 Sep 2013

Keith Langlois @Keith_Langlois

KCP the star of Game 5, fittingly hits the game winner, a long 3, as White wins 3-2 in games. 7 days until training camp, folks.
9:49 AM - 23 Sep 2013

[Oracle]

"The top four players in terms of clutch minutes were Monroe (79 percent), Brandon Knight (74 percent), Rodney Stuckey (69 percent) and Tayshaun Prince (51 percent)—nobody really surprising.

But the fifth? Charlie Villanueva at 41 percent, well up from 28 percent of the possible total minutes." - Can Detroit Pistons Afford to Bench Andre Drummond in Crunch Time Again?

[WTF]

I swear this is what Stafford style of play remind me of.  "Just run to the left 10 yards and I'll throw it".   He's not even reading the defense or checking down and keep looking in on the primary WR.  WTF they should be leading by 21.

I don't know if I should laugh, cry, or just start break dancing!

The Lions won, so why does it feel like the they lost? I didn't like this win, it was weak and showed the Lions to be having the same problems of the last few years.

Ok, I'll take the win, but....

BTW, here's a more active Lions forum - Detroit Lions Forum

I think what made it that way was deep down we knew this game should have be a route. There was still missed opportunities twice in the Red Zone. I think it's Stafford, he's putting up the numbers he always does and should do considering the weapons he has at WR but he doesn't seem clutch.

Defense plays well but prone to dumb penalties they did have like 4 un-sportsman call I think they were all questionable calls but they have that stigma of being dirty.

I was glad about the win especially getting it in Washington but this team should be sitting at 3-0 looking at the schedule it's going to get rough because it look like most of their road games are early in the season.

[Oracle]

I swear this is what Stafford style of play remind me of.  "Just run to the left 10 yards and I'll throw it".   He's not even reading the defense or checking down and keep looking in on the primary WR.  WTF they should be leading by 21.

I don't know if I should laugh, cry, or just start break dancing!

The Lions won, so why does it feel like the they lost? I didn't like this win, it was weak and showed the Lions to be having the same problems of the last few years.

Ok, I'll take the win, but....

BTW, here's a more active Lions forum - Detroit Lions Forum

[Oracle]

DX, now you've done it! When you get to talking about big hands, you get this sweet young thing excited and this is what happens! No need to tell you where she wants to place the fickle finger of fate


So Don, don't fear, Gays haven't taken over the NBA yet, and if Cheeks decides to show the unrated version of this video, I'm sure he'll get a rise(pun intended) out of our Pistons!

BTW DX, I had to look up Bubbles in the interwebs because I didn't know who he was! Died at 39... Wow! But unlike Jennings, he was big(6'4), which weakens the comparison!

Also Monroe & Bison is close, both had great low post moves! Dele's problem is that he became too nice to beat the sh!t out of folks every night, so he only showed up when his tough evil side was working, and it wasn't working enough for anybody when he hit Detroit!

Finally, I do like the Ben/Drummond comparison, even though Drummond has greater size and the same or greater athleticism to deliver punishment to his victims!

[deusXango]

Yippee, finally something to challenge the mind and stay focused on the team at the same time; sure Stones, I'll try this.

Greg Monroe=Bison Dele: (Moose and the Bison) although unappreciated, much like Moose, Bison could put up some numbers (near double, double); it's sad that Bison's off court problems, within his family unit, cut his career short.

Andre Drummond=Ben Wallace: IMHO those two players are cut from the same mold; exceptional physical specimens, who can dominate the game by playing defense and rebounding exclusively, but can't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle when it comes to free throws.

Will Bynum=Mike James: fireplug builds, glad to be in the league, never kick or complains, and stay ready to come in and play like starters (going against 2nd units). It's a shame that Joe didn't bring James back to play with Lindsey; they had something special going on, as defensive terrors.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope=Allan Houston: deadly outside shooters who the Pistons chose to let linger on the bench just long enough for other teams to realize how good they are, and that they weren't appreciated in Detroit; who's going to come in and steal KCP away from us, like the Knicks stole Houston?

Brandon Jennings="Bubbles" Hawkins: same size lefty's who have mad handles and can score (IMO "Bubbles" was a much better scorer in the pros). Both were exceptionally quick, and very clever with the ball.

Gigi Datome=Al Eberhardt: those big ass hands, and could/can shoot the lights out!! "Country's" stay in Detroit was short lived, but hopefully we're moving away from letting specialized talent go simply because of misconceptions, because I think Gigi can play.

Rodney Stuckey=Gus the Barber: mainstays who's best contributions to the team was comedy relief.

[cool breeze]

Will Cheeks use this video in the locker room to motivate his players? This is a new season and anything might happen.

[cool breeze]

I tried my best to stay out of the "should we dump Stuckey" debate, honestly I did, but the spin doctors were getting the upper hand in this nonsensical exchange, and that'll never do!!As I jump into the fray, my first swing at lunacy is the fact that Stuckey said he was taking Brandon Knight "under his wing," to teach him to be a better PG; where is Knight now? He was being vilified before he left, and his departure was cheered by many; thanks Mr. Stuckey. While on the subject of trading Knight, he was traded at the age of Stuckey when we drafted him, and six years later we're still wishing and hoping that he "comes in motivated" and plays a more inspired game; sounds more "me" than team. What will be the motivating factor? Why, it's a contract year, of course. Having a player on the team like that just plain sucks.

Wise said that "we all know the talent is there," well I don't. Stuckey hasn't been a fit with any team that's been put together by the Pistons; he never fit with Billups and Hamilton (All-Star guards), nor will he fit with the current group of guards, and the big men won't see the ball once it comes off the glass and is passed out to this clown. What is this special talent he has? Is he a superb outside shot? Does he average 20+ points consistently, from year to year? Does he gain control of the game by controlling the tempo? If he does none of those things, why do he need the ball in his hands to be "effective?" Those cloddish, ugly, ill-advised forays to the basket, that end up with an arrgggh!, and trip to the free throw line is more foolishness than talent. We waited six years for that to be corrected, so what's so magical about this seventh season?

There is no comparing a #8 pick against a #15 pick, unless you're high off something; KCP was rated in the same class as Ben McLemore, and Victor Oladipo going into the draft, and some people on THIS forum were calling for KCP to be drafted by us (we all thought Burke would be gone by #5); I would never put my credibility on Stuckey being a better player or fit for this team than Oladipo or McLemore, but what's being done with KCP is equal to just that!! None of those three have played a NBA game, but I'll say that the two who get an opportunity to play will outperform Stuckey, even with his motivation this year.

I said it a long time ago that if Stuckey wasn't traded before the seasons start, Joe wasn't doing his job; Stuckey is no more than an albatross to hamstring a coach with. That's been his M.O. since he's been a Piston, and that's an inescapable fact. He's a failed PG in the way of Billups swan song as a Piston; he's in the way of Siva receiving the time and experience to develop, and currently being used as an excuse to limit KCP's development. The most awful political sham is Cheeks is saying things that make no basketball sense, and may be foolish enough to knuckle under to Joe's demands to feature Stuckey with a group of players who have an intelligence level that will leave Stuckey looking like a babe lost in the woods. Intelligence? I ain't going to discuss his I.Q., because every knowledgeable basketball fan know what he's shown.  

dX we can only hope that Mr. Cheeks takes the time to read stuff in this forum because he won't get the truth from Joe Dumars, Stuckey's Mother. There is no doubt in my mind that Joe Dumars planted the idea in Cheeks mind to tell the media that he expects Stuckey to be the team leader this year. No person who has followed Stuckey's NBA career would ever say that unless they had done no homework at all. Being that Cheeks might have been dealing with personal issues at the time, maybe he just repeated what Joe told him. Joe just wanted to put in a good word or two to seal the deal and make sure Stuckey got proper playing time regardless of what he did on the court. Stuckey is now a team leader as dictated by the new head coach so how can he not play Stuckey now? How can we ever trust Joe Dumars and the owners have to be saying the same thing. Are the owners complete idiots. They saw what Stuckey did with the last two coaching staffs. Stuckey must have the mind of a spoiled brat kid knowing he has it made because his Mother is running the team. Owners please be advised that the fans do not want to watch Stuckey play for Detroit anymore so they might not buy tickets. What would Joe do if the owners suddenly took charge as they should and gave orders to remove the Stuckey problem? Would Joe go to the Detroit News to plead for a new chance for his family member? Would Vincent Goodwill do another favor for Joe?

It is amazing that we bother to talk about Rodney Stuckey. Our team has fallen to such a low depth that we have forgotten about the amazing players who have played for the Pistons in the past. There were no discussions like this about those players. Curry, Kuester, and Frank have been at fault for Stuckey's lackluster play. Joe believed it was OK for Stuckey to miss that practice at Toronto and fired all coaches who have talked harshly to Rodney. After all, Stuckey has suffered through many nights of missed sleep because he was so misunderstood by those mean coaches. Charlie V has suffered as well and Joe is mad as hell at those coaches and never wants to speak to them again. This is why Cheeks is doing the smart thing by saying Stuckey is his team leader this year. Don't mess with Joe. All I want is justice. It was clear as a bell that Rodney Stuckey did not want to play for Detroit last season and the season before and the season before that. Now he wants to play and be the team leader. Stuckey's Mother couldn't find a home for him out West last year and the year before that because all the GMs were worried that he might not like their coaching staffs and would become a fake player in their organizations. And Rodney Stuckey has come close to being the fake player Charlie V has been for the Detroit Pistons. Two players with expiring contracts and Joe Dumars cannot get anything for them. All other team owners know that those two guys are chemistry killers. Joe was able to trade Austin Daye which is amazing to me but he could not move Rodney or Charlie. I wonder if those two guys room together on the road.

[Go Stones!]

Make a list that directly compares each of the present players to any past Piston's player NOT presently on the team. Extra credit if you can match it up to someone of the Bad Boys or Going to Work Era. For further extra credit you can elaborate in your comparison.

Ready...begin!


Will Bynum = Linsay Hunter circa 2004 - similar build, can score in bunches when hot. Familiar with bench role, but can play significant meaningful minutes if injuries desire it. (Defense is NOT similar).

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